As always when I have been missing in action from the blog for a couple of weeks, let me immediately begin by saying thanks to those who so ably stepped into the breach with their own updates and alternative views of life at East Lancashire Hospitals.
I always find it so interesting to hear different perspectives and I am now receiving requests from people who want to guest blog, as well as suggestions from others with ideas for topics. Please do always drop me a line if you have any suggestions, questions or feedback – on the blog or any other aspect of ELHT.
It has been a busy couple of weeks, most noticeably marked by the end of the 2022-23 financial year on April 6.
Regular readers, colleagues across the Trust and, indeed, our patients and their families will recognise it has not been an easy year and I am pleased that we were able to end it in a good place.
This was a collective effort, underpinned by an incredible amount of hard work and dedication from everyone across all settings and services. Thank you to everyone who contributed. The Trust hit all key metrics, delivered real improvements, made progress on our overall aims and objectives – and managed to come in on budget too.
That’s the corporate speak, of course. What we really did was care for patients and their families – as well as each other – in the most effective way. That’s always what I am most proud of and especially during some of the most difficult circumstances anyone in the NHS has ever experienced.
I was pleased to share our progress and the success of the team during a call with the Chief Executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard. You might remember Amanda visited ELHT to see and hear some of the great work we are doing this time last year and it was clear she remembered the Trust, it’s warmth and enthusiasm, fondly from that day.
She was also very complimentary about everything we were continuing to do – which was great to hear.
We inevitably chatted also about the challenges for the year ahead which include ongoing industrial action, the continued focus on reducing waiting lists, some difficult estates and facilities programmes specific to ELHT and, not least, the very difficult financial circumstances the entire NHS is facing at the moment.
I am not joking for a moment when I say this isn’t even an exhaustive list – it’s going to be tough and I updated Amanda in general terms about how we plan to tackle it. As I have said before, I am fortunate to be surrounded by incredible people and if anyone can even attempt to ‘do it’ I know we will.
This has been writ large, again, this week as the entire Trust has rallied together to prepare for and manage more industrial action by junior doctors as part of an ongoing dispute with the Government over pay.
I want to say – again – that I completely respect the right of individuals to take part in industrial action and recognise that, for most people, taking the decision to do so is never done lightly or with any ease.
But it remains a simple fact that losing such a vital part of the organisation for any amount of time has huge implications for patient care, safety and experience that need detailed planning. I am always mindful too to ensure those ‘holding the fort’ are supported and valued and the moment where colleagues come back together as a team afterwards is handled as sensitively as possible too.
It’s a real balancing act, but I have to say that the continued response here at the Trust has been brilliant and thank you so much to everyone who has played their part in keeping ‘the show on the road’ and managing this complex and difficult situation so comprehensively.
Around 1,000 appointments for scheduled care, including operations and elective procedures, have been delayed and I am sorry to everyone affected by this, but please know we will get you back in just as soon as we possibly can.
Whilst I am talking about achievements, I want to mention the team who received a Certificate of Accreditation for the Endometriosis department at Lancashire Women's and New Born Centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospitals for the eighth year running. This is testament to their consistent and effective hard work. Well done and many congratulations to you all – recognition so richly deserved.
Lastly, I just couldn’t close without paying a heartfelt tribute to our therapy dog Jasper, who died suddenly last week.
Jasper was a friend and colleague to many, who worked so hard and achieved so much after joining the Trust in 2019. In those four short years, working with Hospital Chaplain David Anderson, he touched the lives of so many.
I genuinely don’t think there is a person who could resist a moment with Jasper in any setting – he was such a warm and beautiful soul.
In particular, his work during the pandemic was very special indeed. He brought comfort to many people just when they needed it the most and he was rightly recognised for this through a national award presented at the House of Lords in 2021.
It is a simple fact that the corridors of ELHT will never be the same again. He was the spirit of the Trust and a huge part of our team. To his family and especially David, we send our love, our admiration and our thanks. Rest in Peace Jasper, you will be forever in our hearts.
Martin